Functional Concentration

There has been a lot of effort put into this design in order to make it progressively different. The overall look is great with many of the contemporary “must have” design features being included; but could it be argued that this design is trying too hard?

The island dominates the space and gives credence to the idea that the modern kitchen can be inspired by an island alone, and that if this element is designed correctly you don’t really need anything else. The islands dominance is helped further by it being positioned at an angle to the surrounding architecture creating the minimal, art gallery feel. But you really need to have ample room at home to get away with this idea, and you may have to present a strong case to your client, as doing this certainly eats up floor space.

There is loads of worktop area here and The Mogul loves the off-set open shelves on the front of the island which are functional and offer a beautiful camouflage for potential mess at the sink. However, The Mogul feels uneasy with the asymmetrical positioning of the units along the back wall! They are abstract and tick one of the essential "contemporary kitchen trend" boxes, but The Mogul feels that there is too much open space between the floor and the units....what would this space be used for?

This may be an example of how the quest for the most commercially appealing, aesthetically beautiful kitchen design can lead to a lapse in functional concentration!

Comments

Functional Thinking

Purity is a desirable attribute especially if used to disguise complexity! This design manages to encourage a lingering desire to admire, the type of art gallery presence that demands quiet contemplation to fully appreciate. By cleverly layering simple linear forms and combining a reserved colour palette this under stated design could be considered a masterpiece of functional thinking! Think about it!

Style Peacemaker

To mediate is to broker agreement and here we see a kitchen becoming a style peacemaker. The industrial architecture sets the contemporary scene aptly aided by the exposed ventilation system which has been laid bare through the calculating incisions made by an architect’s drafting pen. Light is allowed to penetrate and contradict the industrial space through more classically styled windows, casting shadows that have been polluted by the traditional influence of Georgian frames. The kitchens detachment from the floor is aesthetically powerful but it also shows how we have become scientific in our approach to functional furniture design. We have learned that it is difficult to reach things at floor level while standing up straight! The introduction of layers, shapes and warm light helps to soften the surroundings without confusing the picture. It can be argued that the kitchen designer has been sensitive to the architecture while providing a ...

Functional Revolution Through Artistic Evolution

Amongst the chaos there is order! And here we see a vibrant mix of functional art that inspires the onlooker to delve deeper into this design and realise the complex levels of thought that have inspired such a flagrant disregard for convention. Excitement can be conjured by the exotic, and this design by Gitta Gschwendtner for Schiffini floats the notion that functionality can become an artistic experiment. To some this may just be a series of boxes but to others this could be seen as an attempt to deliver a functional revolution through artistic evolution. The Mogul approves!

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